Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 185 - Truth or Dare (3)

Hearing this, Zanxing couldn’t help but laugh quietly, thinking to herself that asking such an obvious question was a waste of an opportunity. After all, Gu Baiying was still young and seemed to be oblivious, practically wearing a “No Romance” sign on his face.

However, Gu Baiying did not immediately answer Pu Tao’s question.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

Countless moments drifted away like fireflies from the pavilions and terraces, turning into the evening breeze, kissing the crimson flowers in the Changchun Pool.

The young man lowered his gaze, his eyes turbulent like the sea.

This was not a difficult question – the answer was simply “yes” or “no.” If Gu Baiying had no one he cared about, he could have simply said so, rather than remaining silent as he did now.

Men Dong, unable to contain himself, exaggeratedly called out, “Senior Uncle, could it be that you really do have someone you care about?”

At that moment, Gu Baiying picked up the Floating Dream Wine from the table and drank it in one go.

He finished the wine in a single gulp, placed the empty bowl back on the table, glared at Men Dong, and coldly said, “Be quiet.”

Men Dong dared not ask further, but his astonishment was evident.

It wasn’t just Men Dong who was surprised; everyone at the table was caught off guard. Pu Tao’s expression turned quite unpleasant. Ziluo muttered, “If he has someone he cares about, why have we never heard the Jie Xin Bell ring…?”

Zanxing’s mind wandered as she realized that Gu Baiying had the Jie Xin Bell of Fairy Qinghua, which would ring if he was emotionally moved. Since the Jie Xin Bell on Gu Baiying remained silent, it was clear that none of the people at this table had captured his heart.

If Gu Baiying’s beloved was not here, then who could it be?

Lost in thought, Zanxing didn’t notice that the spoon had started spinning again until she heard Liu Yunxin’s voice from the side, reminding her, “Miss Yang, it’s your turn.”

The silver spoon’s handle was pointing at her.

It was now Gu Baiying’s turn to ask her a question.

Zanxing looked up at Gu Baiying. The young man under the lamplight had a clean and clear expression, his eyes bright as he gazed at her, seeming a bit different from usual.

But upon closer inspection, he seemed much the same as before.

Zanxing felt inexplicably nervous.

In the quiet, Gu Baiying spoke, “Yang Zanxing, do you like eating green scallions?”

Zanxing: “Huh?”

Before she could respond, Men Dong was already making a fuss, “Senior Uncle, what kind of question is that? If you can’t think of a good question, it’s okay not to ask one. There’s no need to be so perfunctory! If you want, give me the chance, and I’ll ask for you!”

Zanxing was also puzzled by the question, but she answered honestly, “I really dislike eating green scallions.”

Gu Baiying simply nodded and did not speak further.

The question was truly baffling, and seeing Gu Baiying’s inscrutable expression made it even harder for Zanxing to guess his intentions.

The spoon continued to spin.

This time, it landed on Meng Ying.

Meng Ying glanced at Zanxing, signaling her to go ahead with her question.

Zanxing hesitated for a moment. Although she was very interested in the gossip among the disciples of the Taiyan Sect, Meng Ying’s daily life had very little to gossip about. At most, it was about the ambiguous relationship between Meng Ying and Mu Cengxiao. She had originally intended to ask how their relationship was developing, but Liu Yunxin was sitting next to Mu Cengxiao. She feared that if she brought up the question, the atmosphere, which had just become harmonious, would turn awkward again.

As an adult, she couldn’t be as straightforward as Men Dong. After thinking for a long time, Zanxing looked at Meng Ying and asked seriously, “Senior Sister, would you mind if your future partner were to have an affair?”

Tian Fangfang gasped in surprise.

Gu Baiying’s face instantly turned ashen.

Zanxing thought her question was quite appropriate. Since it was difficult to directly ask about the relationship with Mu Cengxiao, she would ask about Meng Ying’s views on relationships. In the original novel At the Summit of the Nine Heavens, Mu Cengxiao eventually married eight wives, and Meng Ying, as a top woman, accepted it, which was something Zanxing found hard to understand as a reader.

Now, the plot had long been disrupted. Mu Cengxiao’s third wife had yet to appear, and the remaining red and white roses still had an unclear relationship with Mu Cengxiao. What if Meng Ying’s choice was different from what was depicted in the original?

Meng Ying stared blankly at Zanxing, apparently not expecting such a question. It wasn’t until Zanxing repeated the question that she came back to her senses and nodded, saying, “Of course.”

The word “of course” was said with utmost naturalness.

Men Dong, frustrated, said, “Yang Zanxing, what kind of question is that? It’s a question with a clear answer. There’s no woman who wouldn’t mind her partner having an affair. Even men wouldn’t tolerate it. No matter how broad-minded a person is, they wouldn’t be okay with that!”

Zanxing retorted, “That’s not necessarily true.”

At least, in the original, there were eight who didn’t mind.

Just after she said this, Gu Baiying stood up abruptly, startling her. The youth glanced indifferently at the crowd and said, “This is boring, I’m taking my leave.”

The anger was palpable from a distance.

His outburst was truly inexplicable. Before anyone could react, he had already left. Pu Tao hesitated for a moment and then stood up, saying, “I have things to attend to as well. I’ll leave first.” With that, he quickly followed Gu Baiying and disappeared from Duoluo Platform.

With two people suddenly gone, Zanxing asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with him?”

Tian Fangfang forced a laugh, and Ziluo sighed, “Forget it, let’s not worry about them. Let’s continue.”

*

The lively atmosphere gradually faded away.

The cool early summer night breeze dispersed some of the warmth of the Floating Dream Wine. The lotus shadows swayed gently under the lantern light in the distance, creating a peaceful scene that, for no apparent reason, only made his mood more irritable.

And he didn’t know what was making him irritable.

“Immortal Gu… Immortal Gu… Gu Baiying!” The girl, breathless, caught up and grabbed his sleeve, calling out his name loudly.

The boy stopped impatiently, “What do you want from me?”

Pu Tao was momentarily at a loss for words.

His furrowed brow showed that he was truly in a bad mood, and the lack of patience in his gaze made Pu Tao feel somewhat aggrieved and a bit dejected.

She was the most cherished junior sister of the Xiang Ling Sect, with a cheerful and innocent personality, well-protected by her aunt. Her fellow disciples treated her with kindness and gentleness, but this youth in front of her had been unkind and dismissive towards her when they were in the Li’er Country, showing no regard for her.

She should have disliked him, should have considered him a rival, but when she learned that Gu Baiying might be in danger in the secret realm, she couldn’t help but worry for him.

Pu Tao was not a child and understood what this meant.

She liked Gu Baiying.

“I like you.” She looked up at the boy in front of her.

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Hey guys, today’s my birthday and the mass release is my treat for y’all! Translating the last few chapters was quite thrilling for me, and I am really excited to hear your thoughts!